HJNO Mar/Apr 2019

Healthcare Journal of new orleans I  MAR / APR 2019 51 Nguyen Dang, MD Radiation Oncologist Specialist Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional as memory loss, fatigue, and skin chang- es. Other potential side effects of brain SRS depend on the location of the tumor. The physician would discuss specific side effects that may occur depending on the overall treatment plan. The risk of brain edema and brain necrosis is low, at a rate of less than 5 percent. Radiation therapy utilizes high-ener- gy electromagnetic waves (x-rays and gamma rays) and particles (electrons and protons) to damage the cancer cells’ DNA. This prevents the cancer fromgrowing and causes them to die. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, SRS delivers an entire course of treatment in a single large dose of radiation. By delivering a high dose of radiation, the DNA repair mechanism is saturated, resulting in better tumoricidal effects. In addition, damage to endothelial cells of the surrounding blood vessels en- hances tumor control. In conclusion, Brainlab Stereotactic Ra- diosurgery delivers quick, accurate, and non-invasive treatment for brain cancers and other benign conditions. It allows pa- tients to return to daily activities and work, as well as to spend quality time with family and friends. n Dr. Nguyen Dang, Radiation Oncology specialist, is on active medical staff at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional. He received a medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Dang completed an internal medicine internship at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans, and a radiation oncology residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology. “Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy electromagnetic waves (x-rays and gamma rays) and particles (electrons and protons) to damage the cancer cells’ DNA.”